Alex Petukhova-Greenstein

research interests

My research focuses on decoding the role of genomic and epigenomic changes in cellular plasticity and cancer progression. I am particularly interested in understanding the complex interplay between immune and non-immune cells within the tumor microenvironment, as well as the dynamic immune processes that vary between patients. The heterogeneity of responses to immunotherapy highlights the urgent need to understand underlying mechanisms and identify biomarkers to guide more effective treatment strategies.

Specifically, my work centres on analysing whole genome and methylome changes in oesophageal cancer and melanoma, derived from circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA), using advanced computational methods and machine learning algorithms.

My research is guided by three main objectives:

1. Predict the Cancer Immune Landscape from ctDNA
2. Quantify Mutation Burden from ctDNA for Early Detection of Cancer
3. Develop Predictive Models for Treatment Success in Immunotherapy

background

I completed my medical training at Charité University in Berlin, Sorbonne University in Paris, and Northwestern University in Chicago.

During medical school, I spent one year conducting research on liver cancer imaging for my MD thesis at Yale University. My work focused on predictive magnetic resonance imaging features in liver cancer, integrating computational modelling and machine learning algorithms to identify radiologist-defined and computer-derived “radiomic” features. This research aimed to quantify tumour aggressiveness and improve outcome prediction. Additionally, I was involved in projects on imaging immune processes in cancer using animal models.

Prior to starting my DPhil, I worked as a junior doctor in Clinical Genetics at Charité University, specialising in hereditary cancers and performing whole-genome sequencing analyses for patients with rare diseases.

Additional roles within the Ludwig

I am a member of the Ludwig Oxford Annual Retreat Committee